Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698929639100.pdf (New Zealand)
Reprint as at 1 November 2009 District Courts Amendment Rules 2007 (SR 2007/205) District Courts Amendment Rules 2007: pursuant to rule 17.1 of the District Courts Rules 2009 (SR 2009/257).
revoked, on 1 November 2009, Preamble At Wellington this 23rd day of July 2007 Pursuant to section 122 of the District Courts Act 1947 and section 42 of the Harassment Act 1997, His Excellency the Governor-General, acting on the advice and with the consent of the Executive Council, and (except for rules 15 to 18) with the concurrence of the Chief District Court Judge and 2 other members of the Rules Committee established under section 51B of the Judicature Act 1908 (of whom at least 1 was a District Court Judge), makes the following rules.
Contents 1 2 3 4 Title Commencement Principal rules amended New rule 28 substituted Page 3 3 3 3 Note Changes authorised by section 17C of the Acts and Regulations Publication Act 1989 have been made in this eprint.

A general outline of these changes is set out in the notes at the end of this eprint, together with other explanatory material about this eprint.

These rules are administered by the Ministry of Justice.
1 District Courts Amendment Rules 2007 Reprinted as at 1 November 2009 28 Cover sheet, numbering, and fastening of document Description of document Format of first page Subscription at foot of first page New rules 84 to 88E substituted 84 85 86 Incapacitated person and minor defined Litigation guardian defined Incapacitated person must be represented by litigation guardian Minor must be represented by litigation guardian Minor may apply to conduct proceeding without litigation guardian Application of rules 88B to 96 to minors Court may set aside any step in proceeding Appointment of litigation guardian Application to be served on person for whom litigation guardian to be appointed Notification of appointment 87 88 88A 88B 88C 88D 88E New rule 91 substituted Service of documents 91 New rules 96 to 98 substituted 96 97 Retirement, removal, or death of litigation guardian Procedure where person ceases to be incapacitated person Procedure where minor attains full age 98 Who may swear affidavit verifying statement in answer to interrogatories Who may swear affidavit verifying list of documents Manner of payment Directions as to service Application of rules in other Parts New rules 461S and 461SA substituted 461S Appointment of representative of certain minors 461SA Applications against minors Appointment of representative of person unable or unwilling to take proceeding Effect of minor ceasing to be child Form and contents of affidavits Reprinted as at 1 November 2009 District Courts Amendment Rules 2007 r 8 1 2 3 4 Title These rules are the District Courts Amendment Rules 2007.
Commencement These rules come into force on 24 August 2007.

Principal rules amended These rules amend the District Courts Rules 1992.

New rule 28 substituted Rule 28 is revoked and the following rule substituted: “28 Cover sheet, numbering, and fastening of document “(1) The first sheet of a document is the cover sheet, showing the matters specified in rules 29 and 29A.

“(2) The cover sheet is not numbered, even if the heading is con- tinued on another sheet under rule 29A(2).
“(3) Each page after the cover sheet must be numbered consecu- tively, starting with the number 1.

“(4) All sheets of a document must be securely fastened together.” 5 6 (1) (2) 7 (1) (2) 8 Description of document Rule 29(1) is amended by omitting “first page” and substitut- ing “cover sheet”.

Format of first page The heading to rule 29A is amended by omitting “first page” and substituting “cover sheet”.

Rule 29A(1) is amended by omitting “first page” and substi- tuting “cover sheet”.
Subscription at foot of first page The heading to rule 35 is amended by omitting “first page” and substituting “cover sheet”.

Rule 35(1) is amended by omitting “first page” and substitut- ing “cover sheet”.
New rules 84 to 88E substituted Rules 84 to 88 are revoked and the following rules substituted: 3 r 8 “84 District Courts Amendment Rules 2007 Reprinted as at 1 November 2009 Incapacitated person and minor defined For the purposes of these rules,— “incapacitated person means a person who by reason of physical, intellectual, or mental impairment, whether tempor- ary or permanent, is— “(a) not capable of understanding the issues on which his or her decision would be required as a litigant conducting proceedings; or “(b) unable to give sufficient instructions to issue, defend, or compromise proceedings “minor means a person who has not attained the age of 18 years; and a person is of full age if he or she has attained the age of 18 years.
“85 Litigation guardian defined For the purposes of these rules, litigation guardian— “(a) means— “(i) a person who is authorised by or under an enact- ment to conduct proceedings in the name of, or on behalf of, an incapacitated person or a minor (but only in a proceeding to which the authority extends); or a person who is appointed under rule 88C to con- duct a proceeding; and “(ii) “(b) has the same meaning as the expression ‘guardian ad litem’.
“86 Incapacitated person must be represented by litigation guardian “(2) “(1) An incapacitated person must have a litigation guardian as his or her representative in any proceeding, unless the Court orders otherwise.

If a person becomes an incapacitated person during a proceed- ing, a party must not take any step in the proceeding without the permission of the Court until the incapacitated person has a litigation guardian.
4 Reprinted as at 1 November 2009 District Courts Amendment Rules 2007 r 8 “87 Minor must be represented by litigation guardian “(1) A minor must have a litigation guardian as his or her represen- tative in any proceeding, unless the Court orders otherwise.
“(2) Subclause (1) does not apply to a minor who— “(a) “(b) “(c) is required by an enactment to conduct a proceeding without a litigation guardian; or is permitted by an enactment to conduct a proceeding without a litigation guardian and elects to do so; or is authorised under rule 88 to conduct a proceeding without a litigation guardian.
“88 Minor may apply to conduct proceeding without litigation guardian “(1) This rule applies to a minor who— “(a) “(b) is not required or permitted by an enactment to conduct a proceeding without a litigation guardian; and is not prohibited by an enactment from conducting a proceeding without a litigation guardian.

“(2) A minor who wishes to conduct a proceeding in his or her own name may apply to the Court for authorisation to conduct the proceeding without a litigation guardian.
“(3) On an application under subclause (2), the Court may make an order allowing the minor to conduct the proceeding without a litigation guardian if it is satisfied that— “(a) the minor is capable of making the decisions required or likely to be required in the proceeding; and “(b) no reason exists that would make it in the interests of the minor to be represented by a litigation guardian.
“88A Application of rules 88B to 96 to minors Rules 88B to 96 apply to a minor to whom rule 87(1) applies, and every reference in those rules to an incapacitated person must be read as if it was also a reference to a minor.

“88B Court may set aside any step in proceeding The Court may set aside a step in a proceeding if an incapaci- tated person did not have a litigation guardian when that step was taken and the Court considers that the incapacitated per- son was unfairly prejudiced.
5 r 8 District Courts Amendment Rules 2007 Reprinted as at 1 November 2009 “88C Appointment of litigation guardian “(1) This rule applies if an incapacitated person does not have a litigation guardian within the meaning of rule 85(a)(i).
“(2) The Court may appoint a litigation guardian if it is satisfied that— “(a) “(b) the person for whom the litigation guardian is to be ap- pointed is an incapacitated person; and the litigation guardian— “(i) is able fairly and competently to conduct pro- ceedings on behalf of the incapacitated person; and “(ii) does not have interests adverse to those of the incapacitated person; and “(iii) consents to being a litigation guardian.
“(3) In deciding whether to appoint a litigation guardian, the Court may have regard to any matters it considers appropriate, including the views of the person for whom the litigation guardian is to be appointed.

“(4) The Court may appoint a litigation guardian under this rule at on its own initiative; or any time— “(a) “(b) on the application of any person, including a person seeking to be appointed as litigation guardian.
“88D Application to be served on person for whom litigation guardian to be appointed “(1) Unless the Court orders otherwise, an application under rule 88C— “(a) may be made ex parte; and “(b) must be served on the person for whom the litigation guardian is to be appointed, unless the Court orders otherwise.
“(2) When the person for whom the litigation guardian is to be ap- pointed is a minor,— “(a) “(b) unless the Court directs otherwise, the application must subclause (1) does not apply; and be served instead on— “(i) the minor’s parent or guardian; or 6 Reprinted as at 1 November 2009 District Courts Amendment Rules 2007 r 10 “(ii) if there is no parent or guardian, a person of full age who has the care of the minor or with whom the minor lives.
“88E Notification of appointment “(1) A litigation guardian within the meaning of rule 85(a)(i) must file a copy of the order or other document that empowers him or her to conduct the proceeding, at the same time as the first document relating to the proceeding is filed.
“(2) A person appointed under rule 88C as a litigation guardian of a party to a proceeding must give notice of the appointment to each other party in the proceeding, as soon as practicable after the appointment.” 9 New rule 91 substituted Rule 91 is revoked and the following rule substituted: Service of documents “91 “(1) A party who knows that an incapacitated person has a litigation guardian must serve any document in a proceeding— “(a) on the litigation guardian, unless the litigation guardian has filed an address for service: if the litigation guardian has filed an address for service, at that address for service.
“(b) “(2) Subclause (3) applies to a party who believes on reasonable grounds that a person is an incapacitated person but does not know if that person has a litigation guardian.
“(3) The party— “(a) may apply to the Court for the appointment of a litiga- tion guardian under rule 88C; and “(b) may apply for directions as to service; and “(c) must serve any documents in the proceeding in accord- ance with any directions as to service.” 10 New rules 96 to 98 substituted Rules 96 to 98 are revoked and the following rules substituted: “96 Retirement, removal, or death of litigation guardian “(1) A litigation guardian may not retire without the leave of the Court.
7 r 10 District Courts Amendment Rules 2007 Reprinted as at 1 November 2009 “(2) Unless the Court orders otherwise, the appointment of a liti- gation guardian under rule 88C ends if another person is sub- sequently authorised by or under an enactment to conduct the proceeding in the name of, or on behalf of, the incapacitated person.

“(3) A litigation guardian may be removed by the Court when it is “(4) in the interests of the person he or she represents.
In the case of retirement, removal, or death of a litigation guardian, no further step may be taken in the proceeding with- out the leave of the Court until the incapacitated person is rep- resented by another litigation guardian.

“97 Procedure where person ceases to be incapacitated person “(1) The Court must make an order terminating the appointment of a litigation guardian if it is satisfied that the person the litiga- tion guardian represents is no longer an incapacitated person.
“(2) The Court may make an order at any time— “(a) on its own initiative; or “(b) on the application of— the incapacitated person; or the incapacitated person’s litigation guardian; or “(i) “(ii) “(iii) a party.
“(3) From the date of the order,— “(a) “(b) all subsequent steps in the proceeding must be carried on by the person formerly represented by the litigation guardian; and the person formerly represented by the litigation guardian is liable for all the costs of the proceeding (including solicitor and client costs) in the same manner as if he or she had commenced the proceeding or had become a party to the proceeding when he or she was not an incapacitated person.
“98 Procedure where minor attains full age “(1) A minor who attains full age must file and serve an affidavit confirming that he or she is no longer a minor.
“(2) Unless the Court orders otherwise, from the date a minor at- tains full age— 8 Reprinted as at 1 November 2009 District Courts Amendment Rules 2007 r 13 “(a) “(b) “(c) the appointment of his or her litigation guardian ends; and all subsequent steps in the proceeding must be carried on by the former minor; and that person is liable for all the costs of the proceeding (including solicitor and client costs) in the same manner as if he or she had commenced the proceeding or had become a party to the proceeding when he or she was not a minor.” 11 Who may swear affidavit verifying statement in answer to interrogatories Rule 308(1) is amended by revoking paragraph (b) and substi- tuting the following paragraph: “(b) by the person’s litigation guardian if the person required to make the statement is— “(i) “(ii) a minor, except a minor to whom rule 87(2) applies; or an incapacitated person:”.
12 Who may swear affidavit verifying list of documents Rule 325(1) is amended by revoking paragraph (b) and substi- tuting the following paragraph: “(b) by the person’s litigation guardian if the person required to make the list is— “(i) “(ii) a minor, except a minor to whom rule 87(2) applies; or an incapacitated person:”.
13 Manner of payment Rule 355E is amended by revoking subclause (2) and substi- tuting the following subclause: “(2) Where a minor, except a minor to whom rule 87(2) applies, or an incapacitated person is or may be entitled to an interim payment, or to part of an interim payment, under these rules,— acceptance of the interim payment is subject to the ap- “(a) proval of the Court; and “(b) payment out of Court must not be made without the leave of the Court.” 9 r 14 14 15 16 District Courts Amendment Rules 2007 Reprinted as at 1 November 2009 Directions as to service Rule 444(5) is amended by— (a) (b) inserting “or minors” after “incapacitated persons”; and omitting “87(3)” and substituting “88C”.
Application of rules in other Parts Rule 461E(1) is amended by omitting “88, 89” and substituting “88B, 98”.

New rules 461S and 461SA substituted Rule 461S is revoked and the following rules are substituted: “461S Appointment of representative of certain minors “(1) This rule applies to a minor who— is under 16 years of age; or is 16 years of age and elects under section 11(2A) of the Act to make an application for a restraining order by a representative.
“(a) “(b) “(2) For the purposes of section 11 of the Act, a representative of a minor to whom this rule applies must be appointed as a litiga- tion guardian of the minor under rule 88C.

“(3) Rules 88C, 88D, and 92 to 95 apply to the minor and every reference in those rules to an incapacitated person must be read as if it was also a reference to a minor.
“461SA Applications against minors A minor who is aged 17 or over, or who has been married or in a civil union or de facto relationship, who wishes to defend an application against him or her for a restraining order must defend the application on his or her own behalf, without a liti- gation guardian.” Appointment of representative of person unable or unwilling to take proceeding Rule 461T is amended by omitting “85(3), 86, and 87” and substituting “92 to 96”.
Rule 461T(b) is amended by omitting “a minor” and substitut- ing “an incapacitated person”.

17 (1) (2) 10 Reprinted as at 1 November 2009 District Courts Amendment Rules 2007 r 19 18 (1) (2) 19 Effect of minor ceasing to be child Rule 461U is amended by omitting the heading and substi- tuting the following heading: “Effect of minor turning 17, marrying, or entering into civil union”.

Rule 461U(2) is amended by omitting “child” and substituting “minor”.
Form and contents of affidavits Rule 508(4) is amended by inserting “, except the cover sheet,” after “each page” in each place where it appears.

Rebecca Kitteridge, for Clerk of the Executive Council.

11 Notes District Courts Amendment Rules 2007 Reprinted as at 1 November 2009 Contents 1 2 3 General About this eprint List of amendments incorporated in this eprint (most recent first) General This is an eprint of the District Courts Amendment Rules 2007.
It incorporates all the amendments to the rules as at 1 Novem- ber 2009.

The list of amendments at the end of these notes specifies all the amendments incorporated into this eprint since 3 September 2007.

Relevant provisions of any amending enactments that con- tain transitional, savings, or application provisions are also included, after the principal enactment, in chronological For more information, see http://www.pco.parlia- order.

ment.govt.nz/reprints/.


About this eprint This eprint has not been officialised.

For more information about officialisation, please see “Making online legislation of- ficial” under “Status of legislation on this site” in the About section of this website.

List of amendments incorporated in this eprint (most recent first) District Courts Rules 2009 (SR 2009/257): rule 17.1 Notes 1 2 3 12